Adventures of Superman


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

From Wikipedia:

Adventures of Superman is an American television series based on comic book characters and concepts created in 1938 by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The show is the first television series to feature Superman and began filming in 1951 in California. Sponsored by cereal manufacturer Kellogg's, the syndicated show's first, and last, air dates are disputed but generally accepted as September 19, 1952 and April 28, 1958. The show's first two seasons (episodes 1-52, 26 titles per season) were filmed in black-and-white; seasons three through six (episodes 53-104, 13 titles per season) were filmed in color but originally telecast monochromatically both on the ABC network and in first-run syndication. Television viewers would not see Superman in color until the series was syndicated to local stations in 1965.

George Reeves plays Clark Kent/Superman with Jack Larson as Jimmy Olsen, John Hamilton as Perry White, and Robert Shayne as Inspector Henderson. Phyllis Coates plays Lois Lane in the first season with Noel Neill stepping into the role in the second season (1953). Stories follow Superman as he battles crooks, gangsters, and other villains in the fictional city of Metropolis while masquerading "off-duty" as Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent. Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, Clark's colleagues at the office, often find themselves in dangerous situations which can only be resolved with Superman's timely intervention.

Adventures of Superman generally employed visual effects advanced for television of the period, and, while the show won no major awards, it was popular with its audience and remains popular today. Its opening theme, known as The Superman March, has become a classic of its kind and is instantly recognizable by most classic television buffs and Superman fans. In 1976, the book Superman: From Serial to Cereal was published, and, in 1987, selected episodes of the show were released to video. In 2006, the series became available in its entirety on DVD and reruns of the show still hold a place on television programming schedules. In 2006, Hollywoodland, a film dramatizing the show's production and the death of its star, George Reeves, was released.

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Who talked about this show

Herschel Burke Gilbert

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Herschel Burke Gilbert on his music being used for The Adventures of Superman, and other shows that used the MUTEL library
05:56

Russell Johnson

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Russell Johnson on his guest appearance on Adventures of Superman
00:25

Robert Justman

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Robert Justman on getting the job as second assistant director on Adventures of Superman
01:30
Robert Justman on working as second assistant director on Adventures of Superman
07:29

Jack Larson

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Jack Larson on being cast as "Jimmy Olsen" on Adventures of Superman
02:19
Jack Larson on the instant popularity of "Jimmy Olsen" on Adventures of Superman and being typecast as an actor
06:09
Jack Larson on playing "Jimmy Olsen" on  Adventures of Superman
04:53
Jack Larson on working with George Reeves, Noel Neill and John Hamilton on Adventures of Superman
05:28
Jack Larson on the producers of Adventures of Superman
05:13

Gene LeBell

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Gene LeBell on his experiences doing public appearances with Adventures of Superman star George Reeves, and his doubt that Reeves committed suicide (as was officially determined)
10:14

Bill Mumy

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Bill Mumy on his interests growing up
04:58

Doris Singleton

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Doris Singleton on working on Adventures of Superman
01:56

David L. Wolper

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David L. Wolper on working on the syndication and sponsorship of Adventures of Superman starring George Reeves
01:21

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